The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore on Wednesday raised serious concerns over a hospital management software developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), saying flaws in its Indoor Module have disrupted patient care across 22 public-sector teaching hospitals in the province, 24NewsHD TV reported.
In a statement, PMA President Prof Dr Shahid Malik said the system is not user-friendly for patients or hospital staff, leading to delays in admissions, ward transfers, laboratory testing, medicine issuance, and discharge procedures.
The association warned that admitted patients were bearing the brunt of the operational shortcomings.
He said the software was rolled out without proper evaluation or consultation with senior physicians, medical administrators, or clinical experts, resulting in significant problems at the hospital level.
“Instead of facilitating patients, the system is causing distress,” Malik said, adding that digital reforms in healthcare must be introduced only after extensive consultation with doctors, nursing staff, and hospital management due to the sector’s sensitive nature.
The association urged the Punjab chief secretary to take immediate notice of the issue, convene a high-level meeting, and arrange a practical demonstration of the Indoor Module.